Sigurðsson, Church (2) and Antonio. August Reading's league season began in disappointing style with a 2–1 home defeat to Scunthorpe United. After the visitors had taken an early lead through a disputed Garry Thompson goal – the linesman flagging for offside and subsequently overruled by the referee – Gylfi Sigurðsson put Reading on level terms from 25 yards. Despite enjoying spells of pressure, the Royals were unable to find another goal, and Rob Jones headed home a corner to give Scunthorpe the victory. Reading progressed to the second round of the League Cup with a narrow victory over Torquay United, Grzegorz Rasiak bundling home the winner in the final minute of extra-time. A league draw at Portsmouth followed, the Royals coming from behind to take a point as Jimmy Kébé poked the ball home in the 87th minute following a goal-mouth scramble. The next game Reading went 1–0 up against promotion favourites Nottingham Forest from an Alex Pearce volley, but goalkeeper Adam Federici made a horrible mistake in giving Forest the equaliser by kicking the ball into Jem Karacan which resulted in Robert Earnshaw turning in from close range. Reading then played League Two opponents Northampton Town in the League Cup in which Reading went 1–0 up courtesy of a Matt Mills backheeler from a Brian Howard corner. Northampton equalised with a horrible mistake from goalkeeper Ben Hamer where he dropped the ball twice in a row to allow Andy Holt a tap-in. Reading went back into the lead with a goal from Hal Robson-Kanu after some saves from the Northampton goalkeeper Oscar Jansson, but again Hamer erred, granting Kevin Thornton the equaliser. In extra time, however, Matt Mills put Reading ahead again only to then score an own goal at the end. Reading subsequently lost 4–2 on penalties, with Simon Church and Jake Taylor having their shots saved. In their next game, Reading won 2–1 over Leicester City with a lob from Gylfi Sigurðsson and a bullet header from Mills. Leicester had equalised with a long range shot from Lloyd Dyer but Reading scored in the 86th minute to hold Leicester at bay for their first win of the season. September On 11 September, after the international break and the sale of Sigurðsson, Reading beat Crystal Palace 3–0. The first goal was a penalty won and scored by Shane Long after he cut in from the left and was